Sleepy Hollow Halloween Party

October 15, 2013

When I was approached by Kristin from Bliss at Home and Coupons.com to do a Halloween DIY that could later be repurposed, I was so excited. Not to mention that I got to use Target products of my choice. What home blogger does not love them some Target? Umm…and not to mention that there’s a chance for one of you lovely readers to win a $200 Target Gift Card!!!

The best part of this project is that they asked us to create a Halloween project that could be repurposed after the holiday. This is completely my motto when styling parties. Choose versatile things that may fit your theme when put all together, but that you can use in totally different ways for every day. Use cheap and easy ways to really tie your theme together like chalkboards with quotes or signs.

Because who has money and time to plan an entire party, styled to the nines, and then give it all away afterwards because we have no use for all that stuff? Or, save it in the attic for the next time you have a 50’s themed thirteenth birthday party. I digress…the point is that I completely believe in styling for holidays and events with every day items that you love and will use again and again.

I really tried to choose items that fit this bill. So, here we go…

I decided to do a Sleepy Hollow themed party on our patio, but as I said in my inspiration post yesterday, I really wanted to do a fresh, not too scary feel. I decided that instead of using headless horsemen everywhere, I would play up the equestrian vibe since horses are such a huge part of this legend.

So, without further ado, here’s our Sleepy Hollow Halloween Bash.

As I said yesterday, I picture Mr. Ichabod Crane riding through the woods with branches overhead carrying a lantern to light his way, just hoping he can outrun The Headless Horseman. So for the centerpiece, I decided to use this Nate Berkus pot from Target (it’s no longer available online, but it is still in our store) with branches coming out of it like a tree. I hung lanterns lit up with candles from the branches.

It feels so magical to me with the bulb lights overhead and night time approaching. These bulb lights came from Target online and can be found here.

For the tablescape, I really wanted something that felt like a saddle blanket for the runner. I found this poncho in the accessories section at Target (not online, but in stores) for $24.99 and thought, “What a perfect table runner!”

And it really feels like other saddle blankets I’d seen and hints at that equestrian vibe. Not to mention the wool fabric is pretty fall and cozy.

For the place settings, I decided to use these simple white dishes with the navy stripe. For some reason, that said equestrian to me 🙂

For the napkins, I took this scarf (found in store at Target) and cut it into eight 20×20″ napkins using pinking shears (it won’t ravel this way!).

I love the tiny horse silhouettes prancing all over them. This might be one of my favorite things. And the best part of that particular project? You can have custom napkins in any fabric you can find in five minutes flat.

And for the placecards, I bought horse shoes at our local Tractor Supply and gave them a nice coat of gold spray paint for a little glam touch.

I cut pieces of white card stock and hand wrote the names onto them. I just taped each side to the back of the horse shoes.

It just feels like they finish the party off. Are they particularly equestrian? No, but the black and the pattern does feel pretty Halloween. But the best part is that I would totally use them on our couch every single day! That’s what I love about all of these items. Together, they make a pretty sweet Sleepy Hollow Halloween Bash, but I will re-use each and every one. The centerpiece basket has already been used to hold throws in our living room. The napkins and runner will absolutely be used for other parties and dinners. In fact, I could wear the runner just like it was intended…as a poncho!

Now onto the last portion of our party: the buffet!

What really ties this whole party together is using a quote from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on the chalkboard.

The mixed candlesticks with black tapers and pumpkins add to that Halloween feel. And one of my favorite items is this Target serving tray (Nate Berkus strikes again).

I would totally use this black and white tray for any other party, but I also would use it as a coffee table tray to corral a stack of books and some pretties. So versatile!

Now, onto the part I know y’all are really excited about…the giveaway!

And a HUGE thank you to Coupons.com for this amazing project and for giving away such a fabulous prize to some fabulous readers! They have such great stuff over there, y’all. Make sure you go check out some of their coupons. Some of my huge recommendations are Halloween Coupon Codes and Target Coupon Codes.

Wow, this beautiful! I have been dying for those string lights and I love the basket and how you used the poncho. So clever! I love the wood circles as chargers…this might be my favorite part. Where did you get them?

Thank you, Summer!!! Those wood chargers came from a tree at my parents house 🙂 We just cut them down….I love the tone of the wood where the bark is removed on the side. Full disclosure, though, whatever type of wood it was has a tendency to split. They have some splits in them, but I always just cover it up with the napkin or something and treat it as character!

Wow, looooong odds to win this one but it would be so nice so I could get an awesome double stroller (no, I’m not pregnant! I just babysit a two year old 🙂
This party looks so great!! I wish I could go to one or your parties, although I think it’s always a party when I visit because we stay up so late and talk about just about everything. 🙂 I think my very favorite are the gold horseshoes. What are you going to do with them?? Can I have one? lol jk 🙂

I love this look! I like that is more ‘fall’ than specific halloween. All the elements work so well together, and the subtle pops of gold on the horseshoes mixed with the wood chargers are my favorite unexpected part. 🙂 I better get invited to the next party!!